Used Fuel Disposition U.S. Radioactive Waste Inventory and Characteristics Related to Potential Future Nuclear Energy Systems

In February, 2011 the Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC) on America’s Nuclear Future requested the Department of Energy
(DOE) to provide a white paper summarizing the quantities and characteristics of potential waste generated by various
nuclear fuel cycles. The BRC request expressed interest in two classes of radioactive wastes:
 Existing waste that are or might be destined for a civilian deep geologic repository or equivalent.
 Potential future waste, generated by alternative nuclear fuel cycles (e.g. wastes from reprocessing, mixed-oxide
(MOX) fuel fabrication, and advanced reactors such as Sodium Fast Reactors (SFR).
This paper summarizes three existing reports prepared for the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE), Fuel Cycle
Technology (FCT) program: “Fuel Cycle Potential Waste For Disposition” Rev 3 [Ref 1], “LLW Disposition, Quantity
and Inventory” Rev 1 [Ref 2] and “LLW Inventory from MOX Fuel Fabrication” Rev 0 [Ref 3].
The evaluations presented are subject to several sources of uncertainty including: historical accuracy, the timeline for
implementation of future fuel cycles, technology advancement during the implementation period and changing
environmental regulations which may place a greater (or lesser) demand on waste capture and treatment processes.
Differing assumptions are used throughout this study to aide in developing a range of quantities and characteristics for
waste requiring disposal. The use of a single scenario or data point from a single example is discouraged.